Recently I was the closing keynote speaker for the California-based "Women Leaders in Law Enforcement" conference. As I listened in on the post-conference de-brief, I heard a detective talk about her experience as a conference volunteer. Her assignment to help staff the executive hospitality suite had given her access to all of the instructors as well as many chiefs and other executives, most of them female. Spending informal, one-on-one time with these potential mentors and role models made this officer's conference experience an extremely valuable one. Training events and association conferences are almost always looking for volunteer help. Reaching out may prove to be invaluable to enhancing your career.

Sergeant Betsy Smith has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, retiring as a patrol supervisor in a large Chicago suburb. A graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety's School of Staff and Command and a Street Survival seminar instructor for more than 9 years, Betsy is now a speaker, author and a primary PoliceOne Academy consultant. Visit Betsy's website at www.femaleforces.com.